For a Jehovah's Witness funeral, wear dark, subdued, modest, and simple clothing, like black, navy, or gray suits/dresses, reflecting respect and the solemnity of the occasion, similar to regular meeting attire but more formal; avoid bright colors or flashy styles, as the focus is on the hope of resurrection, not morbid grief.
The Jehovah's Witnesses funeral service is similar to other Christian faiths, but lasts only 15 or 30 minutes. The funeral usually takes place within a week after death. At the service, men wear a suit and tie, and women are expected to dress modestly, but neither needs a head covering.
In the concentration camps, all prisoners wore markings of various shapes and colors so that guards and camp officers could identify them by category. Jehovah's Witnesses were marked by purple triangular patches.
Flowers are acceptable at a Jehovah's Witness funeral, as long as they are simple and modest arrangements. Large and extravagant arrangements should not be sent to a Jehovah's Witness funeral, nor should anything that could come across as Pagan.
However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds. In terms of accessories, a white shirt is the most common item of clothing to wear under a suit, while jewelry should be kept to a minimum and not too flashy.
Wearing red to a funeral would be considered inappropriate because it would clash with the somber atmosphere and be viewed as disrespectful.
The colors you wear at a funeral are more than just a fashion statement. They communicate your respect for the deceased and their family, which is a key aspect of funeral etiquette. Traditionally, dark colors like black, gray, and navy are preferred. These colors symbolize mourning and respect.
Express condolences sincerely, but avoid phrases that conflict with their beliefs (e.g., “they're in a better place”). Be attentive and respectful during the service; avoid distractions, interruptions, or taking photos/videos without permission.
Jehovah's Witnesses reject foods containing blood but have no other special dietary requirements. Some Jehovah's Witnesses may be vegetarian and others may abstain from alcohol, but this is a personal choice. Jehovah's Witnesses do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
They believe that the chosen members of their congregation will be resurrected by Jehovah regardless of what happened to their body after death. Essentially, Jehovah doesn't need the body to resurrect a soul. The belief is that those who are resurrected would receive a new physical form, making the old body obsolete.
Jehovah's Witnesses funeral services typically take place within a week of the death. The service is held in the Kingdom Hall and is led by the Congregation Elder. The service is brief (generally between 15 and 30 minutes) and the body of the deceased is usually present.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Nowhere does the Bible explicitly condemn birth control. In this matter, the principle outlined at Romans 14:12 applies: "Each of us will render an account for himself to God." Married couples, therefore, are free to decide for themselves whether they will raise a family or not.
For the Jehovah's Witnesses the 144,000 are the number of those from the time of Christ to 1935, although that number gets changed more recently. But, to 1935, those are the number of true witnesses, true believers His anointed class of saints. Only 144,000 in that whole history of the church had been saved.
Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to shun members who unrepentantly engage in "gross sin" (most commonly for breaches of the Witnesses' code of personal morality), and "remorseless apostasy".
It is respectful to wear dark, neutral colors like black, navy, or gray in conservative styles, such as a suit, dress, or tailored pants with a modest blouse or shirt to a funeral. Avoid bright, flashy colors, items that are too casual, over-sized items, and revealing or tight-fitting clothing.
If you are not a Jehovah's Witness but wish to attend the funeral this is fine, they are regarded as open to the public. If you've been to other funerals you'll no doubt see many similarities.
Jehovah's witnesses refrain from celebrating since they believe that the event displeases God.
Michael Jackson left the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1987, a decision influenced by growing tensions between his global fame and the sect's strict precepts. His Grammy-winning Thriller album and its accompanying video, which featured occult imagery, caused significant controversy within the organization.
What happened to the body of Christ? There is not one single Jehovah's Witness on the face of the earth that can answer this question.
There are many overlaps between what to wear for a Jehovah's Witness funeral and other religions. Generally speaking, formal wear is best, and darker colours are common. You could wear a suit and tie, or dresses/skirts that are not too revealing.
If you choose to open the door when Jehovah's Witnesses knock, here's your list of priorities:
We have seen people online questioning if you can send a Jehovah's Witness a sympathy card when they suffer a loss, and the answer is yes, certainly; just be careful to avoid sending a card featuring Christian imagery — such as a cross — or bearing a Christian message.
Black: The Universal Color of Mourning
Black is the most common and widely recognized color for expressing grief in many cultures. It has come to symbolize loss and sadness, visually representing the emptiness left behind by someone who has passed away.
Interestingly enough, pink colors are traditionally worn in China by funeral attendees if the deceased is eighty years old or older, as the Chinese believe that living to eighty or beyond is a cause for celebration rather than a cause for mourning.
What is appropriate clothing for a funeral? Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.